Islanders' Matthew Schaefer, Maple Leafs' John Tavares will be linked forever

John Tavares was Matthew Schaefer 17 seasons ago, just a kid from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) selected first overall by the Islanders and making an immediate impact in the NHL.

When they faced each other for the first time on Saturday night at UBS Arena, Schaefer scored his second goal of the game with 49 seconds left in overtime to give the Islanders a 4-3 victory over Toronto.

Before the game, Tavares  — now in his eighth season with his hometown Maple Leafs and on his second contract with Toronto —  said he had yet to meet the 18-year-old Schaefer but easily understood why they were linked.

“Coming into the Islanders as a No. 1 pick and him as well, it’s easy to relate that,” said Tavares, 35, who had 272 goals and 349 assists in nine years with the Islanders. “For me, throughout the course of my career, you always think about the journey and where things started and how you got there and where you’re at today. You think about it all the time, the excitement, all the work to get drafted, to earn an opportunity in the NHL and have the expectations that I had.’’

Tavares had 24 goals and 30 assists in 2009-10, his rookie year. “Just how much fun it is to go through it for the first time and certainly the ups and downs,’’ he said. “There was a lot of them for me throughout my first year. It’s something I’m very grateful for, very fond of and will never forget.”

It marked only the second instance of two players drafted first overall by the Islanders facing each other in an NHL game.

Billy Harris (also from Toronto) became the Islanders’ first-ever pick when he was selected No. 1 overall in 1972 before being included in the deal that brought Butch Goring to Long Island from the Kings on March 10, 1980. Harris first played against his former team and Hall of Famer Denis Potvin, selected first overall by the Islanders in 1973, on Nov. 1, 1980.

Unlike Tavares, who is from Mississauga, Ontario, Schaefer did not necessarily grow up in Hamilton, Ontario as a rabid Maple Leafs fan, though his brother Johnny did. He was more interested in participating in sports than watching.

Still, facing the Maple Leafs for the first time — the Islanders’ lone game in Toronto this season is March 17 — struck a chord with Schaefer.

“Growing up watching Leafs games, not too far outside [Toronto], it will be super-awesome,” Schaefer said. “[But] it’s just like every other game; they’re trying to get the two points. Playing in the NHL is where you want to be at. It’s fun and you want to keep winning.”

Schaefer has 12 goals and 16 assists in 42 games. Entering Saturday, he led the Islanders with an average ice time of 23:52.

He became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score 10 goals when he had a power-play tally in Thursday’s 7-2 home loss to Utah. In the previous game, Tuesday’s 3-2 shootout win in Chicago, Schaefer became the youngest defenseman in league history to reach 25 points. On Nov. 14, also against Utah, Schaefer became the youngest player in NHL history to score in overtime.

“He’s obviously a stud,” Tavares said. “The way he can play the game has been really special. The way he’s kind of come in and just been a game-changer throughout the league and for the Islanders. He seems to have tremendous character and a great head on his shoulders. Someone who’s only a half-season into his career, it’s been really, really impressive.”

Notes & quotes: Defenseman Cole McWard was recalled from AHL Bridgeport and made his Islanders debut paired with fellow righthander Scott Mayfield, who moved to his off-side. The puck-moving McWard, 24, had one goal in six games for the Canucks in 2022-23 and 2023-24. “Those were early on in my professional career,” McWard said. “I think I’ve gained a lot of experience playing in the American League playing against good players. Just a more mature game now as well as a little more confidence.” . . . Goalie Ilya Sorokin (lower body) was activated off injured reserve and backed up David Rittich, who made his seventh straight start. Marcus Hogberg was reassigned to Bridgeport. Sorokin is expected to start on Tuesday against the visiting Devils. Sorokin said he aggravated an issue from “maybe a couple of years ago. Now I feel good. I miss hockey.” . . . Bo Horvat (lower body), injured on Thursday, skated on his own . . . Defenseman Adam Boqvist and forward Anthony Duclair were the healthy scratches.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.